Tag Archivesneonicotinoids — page 2

Scientists have conducted dozens of studies on neonicotinoid seed treatments and the potential impact on bee health. Now, researchers at the University of Saskatchewan have found that canola seed coated with imidacloprid, a type of neonicotinoid, can be toxic to songbirds. “Imidacloprid dosed birds exhibited significant declines in fat stores and body mass and failed […] Read more

Scientists have conducted dozens of studies on neonicotinoid seed treatments and the potential impact on bee health. Now, researchers at the University of Saskatchewan have found that canola seed coated with imidacloprid, a type of neonicotinoid, can be toxic to songbirds. “Imidacloprid dosed birds exhibited significant declines in fat stores and body mass and failed […] Read more

The Swiss study was misleading and the methodology used to measure concentrations was ‘illogical,’ says toxicologist

On Oct. 9, CBC news posted a story on its website suggesting honey is contaminated with insecticides. The story was based on a Swiss study that analyzed honey samples from around the globe. The study, published in the journal Science, found that 75 percent of honey contains neonicotinoids, a class of insecticides commonly used as […] Read more

WINNIPEG, Aug. 15 – A commonly used neonicotinoid pesticide is being blamed in a new report for increasing bumblebee’s risk of extinction. Ontario researcher Nigel Raine, at the University of Guelph, said thiamethoxam can reduce the chances of bumblebee queens starting new colonies by about 25 per cent. The results of the study were published […] Read more

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s decision last fall to phase out imidacloprid within three to five years continues to reverberate through the agricultural community. The House of Commons agriculture committee began examining the issue during meetings last week, although the PMRA is a Health Canada agency. The PMRA made its decision based on harmful effects […] Read more

The National Farmers Union says imidacloprid should be banned. In a release, the NFU said it backs Health Canada’s proposed phase out of imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide used on many Canadian crops. “We believe this proposed decision is a positive step and we fully support it,” the NFU said in a submission to Health Canada. […] Read more

In November, Health Canada said that a nation-wide ban of imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, was necessary because the chemical is a threat to aquatic insects. In late December a University of Guelph expert said the government’s conclusion was an “over-reaction” and a mistake. “I’m not in agreement with the decision to ban (imidacloprid)…. I don’t […] Read more

The area around Leamington, Ont., has a large number of greenhouses. Environment Canada believes those greenhouses, which produce vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, are contributing to high levels of insecticides in surface water in the surrounding area. Environment Canada scientists collected surface water samples from 15 locations across Ontario in 2012-14, including a […] Read more

Neonicotinoids are present in streams and waterways throughout southern Ontario, says a new report from Environment Canada. However, regions with intensive horticultural production, such as southwestern Ontario and the Niagara region, are the only parts of the province with hazardous levels of the insecticides in water. The concentrations of neonic­otinoids in water are much lower […] Read more

Neonicotinoids are present in streams and waterways throughout southern Ontario, says a new report from Environment Canada. However, southwestern Ontario and the Niagara region are the only parts of the province with hazardous levels of the insecticides in water. In a paper that will soon be published in the journal Chemosphere, Environment Canada scientists found […] Read more